I continue to be heavily influenced by Yeats. The original to this poem is actually much longer than the VideO'em. I post them both here so you may contrast the two. Obviously the self imposed style and length of my videos which the bIRD has labeled "future primitive aesthetic" forces me to work with a finite quantity of words. This then necessitates creating two almost completely different poems. "Variations on a theme" if you will.
How the poet was hit in the head by the rock he threw:
How could he be so ignorant
of the old stone cross he bares
How could he live so innocent
of the world asleep unawares
Loam rises up while
arbutus tumbles down
the ever-changing surface
the loosening of the ground
The boy with a crack in his heart
the man looking back at the start
the wane of love having besot them
their weary souls must part
The naive years
of youth that come to naught
awaken old memories
fierce and lofty calling to the mind
old words
like children who've strayed
If we blame love
we may as well blame the wind
for the infinite shape
of words.
I have stayed away from Yeats for most of my life. To begin with, I have been told many times that we look similar. Over the years I have been told that my poetry resembled Yeats's as well. At this point [age] in my life I am no longer intimidated by the idea of influence. I am convinced that I will absorb and continue to metamorphose as a Poet. I can't be separated from "The Collected Poems" at this point. I carry it everywhere. If at 51 Yeats had 30 years of love and productivity ahead of him then perhaps I will also.
My favorite poem at the moment is # 93 "Words". It speaks to me as if I had written it myself. In fact I have. In many other poems with many other "Words".
My favorite poem at the moment is # 93 "Words". It speaks to me as if I had written it myself. In fact I have. In many other poems with many other "Words".
obeedúid~
07/may/09
That's good news!! I just love Yeats and really felt a huge emotional tug when I visited his gravestone and read the inscription. Bought a copy of all or most of his poems in Ireland and it is very well-worn. So glad he has entered your life. My favorite is "The Song of Wandering Angus" which can bring me to tears quite easily. "When you are old and grey" is another favorite of mine. What a guy. Next you'll be trying Byron.
ReplyDeleteCheers, Cathy